Walking Portland: Northwest District, Forest Park & Willamette Heights

This four-mile Walking Portland loop features two distinct NW Portland neighborhoods—Northwest District and Willamette Heights–plus Balch Creek Gulch Bridge and the Lower Macleay Park entry to the trails of Forest Park.

The Willamette Heights neighborhood of NW Portland is a rarity in so many ways. Many of the residences are relatively historic, built no later than 1939, and in some cases, quite a bit earlier.

The variety of architectural styles (grand old houses, sleek modern towers, humble cottages), stunning city views, surrounding Forest Park, and single point of car entry make it seem like a world apart.

And yet it’s walking/biking distance to most of the city core.

And oh the gardens! This older Portland neighborhood is an absolute delight for garden lovers and has some serious garden history.

It was the playground for famous landscape architects Wallace Huntington and Barbara Feeley and it shows.

Route Map

With the map link below, you can zoom in and out to get a better look at the surrounding area. Plus, we indicate best bets for coffee and pastries, restaurants and cafes, indie shops, and other items of local interest.

Click here for our detailed online map.

Directions

Heading Out Route

In Portland’s Northwest District, at NW 23^rd and NW Thurman St., on right sidewalk, head west on NW 23^rd Ave.
Continue on NW Thurman St. as it crosses over Balch Creek Gulch Bridge (with Lower Macleay Park and Forest Park trail below), and then ascends (mostly gently) into Willamette Heights.

Optional Heading Out Route

On NW Thurman St., on right sidewalk, at NW 25^th, turn right.
At NW Upshur St., turn left.
Proceed on NW Upshur St. to Lower Macleay Park. (Note: Restrooms!)
In Lower Macleay Park, proceed to stairs at the base of Balch Creek Gulch Bridge and ascend back to NW Thurman St. and Step 2 of the basic route.

Heading Back Route

At NW Aspen Ave., turn left and follow down to NW Savier St.
On NW Savier St., turn left.
At NW 33^rd, turn left.
At NW Quimby St., turn right.
At NW 32^nd Ave, turn left.
At NW Thurman St., turn right.
At NW 29th Ave., turn right.
At NW Raleigh St. turn left.
At NW 24^th, turn left.
At NW Thurman St., turn right and proceed to start point.

Optional Heading Back Route

On NW Thurman St., prior to the Balch Creek Bridge crossing, at NW 32^nd Ave., turn left.
At NW Vaughn, turn left.
At NW 33^rd Ave., turn right.
At NW Wilson St., turn right.
At NW 29^th Ave., turn right.
At NW Upshur St., turn left.
At NW 29^th Ave., turn right.
Rejoin Heading Back Route at NW Thurman St.

Time

Allow 2 hours to walk the basic route, longer to gawk at the incredible homes and gardens, peruse the indie shops, or linger over coffee or lunch on the way back. And of course, gawk, shop, and linger.

Terrain

Mostly easy, sidewalk-graced, uphill climb on the way out and corresponding mostly easy, sidewalk-graced, downhill jaunt on the way back. However, on the way out, there’s one steep ascent (mercifully brief) and on the way back, one very steep descent (also brief). As with most Portland-style sidewalks (often uneven and in need of repair), good shoes and caution are advised.

Difficulty

Easy through the greater portion of Northwest District and Willamette Heights neighborhoods, with two brief sections on the incline and decline that we will take at a much slower, and more cautionary speed.

Coffee and Lunch

Good options for coffee and pastries before this walk include St. Honore Bakery and Dragonfly Coffee House, or during the walk, The Clearing–all on NW Thurman Ave.

Portland Walkabouts

The SkyBlue Portland team hosts monthly group walks through some of Portland Metro’s most beautiful and interesting neighborhoods.
For info on our Portland Walking Tours, check out our Women Who Walk Facebook page and sign up for a walk on our Women Who Walk Meetup page. Hope to see you soon! 🙂